(Newser)
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Vanilla lattes, cafe mochas, and caramel cappuccinos are coming to your local Golden Arches as McDonald’s Corp. positions itself to take a slice of the booming $12 billion specialty beverage market and become a “beverage destination,” reports the AP. McDonald’s will launch a sausage skillet burrito in two weeks and a Southern-style chicken biscuit next year.

The fast-food giant said the rollout will take more than a year and also will include tea, frappes, smoothies, and bottled beverages. McDonalds, which plans to open 1,000 stores annually, said it will scale back the number of company-owned stores to make the company more “locally relevant.” Shares rose 6 cents to $57.10 yesterday.